Minnesota Wild News

Gustavsson has only two above-average performances this season (1-0-1), his first start and his most recent, in which he has saved a combined 71 of 72 shots (.986 SV%). Taking those two games out of the equation, Gustavsson has been horrendous, posting a .848 SV% in those seven games (1-4-1). Minnesota will hope their recent trip to Gustavsson's homeland of Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series will help him rediscover the magic he had in the crease last season. The Wild will host a Colorado Avalanche team on Friday evening that has scored five or more goals in four of their last five games (4-1-0)

Gustavsson draws his second start in five games for Minnesota after losing his previous start after allowing three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%). The 25-year-old goaltender has had a disastrous start to 2023-24, with his 2-4-1 record, .872 SV% and 4.64 GAA. He takes on Ottawa in Sweden for the Global Series, who have won two straight contests and are currently second in the NHL in goals per game.

Adam Boqvist seems to be the odd man out of the Blue Jackets lineup as Jiricek skated alongside Jake Bean at the team's morning skate on Tuesday. Jiricek last played for the Blue Jackets on November 4th, recording one assist and one shot in 12:06 time-on-ice. The 19-year-old Czech defender has three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games with the Blue Jackets this season.

With the Minnesota Wild travelling to Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series, the team has recalled Jesper Wallstedt to serve as their third goaltender. Wallstedt, a native of Sweden, was the 20th overall pick of the Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In eight games with Iowa (AHL) this season (6-2-0), Wallstedt has a 2.01 GAA and .932 SV%.

Gaudreau has not played since October 24th and has now been placed retroactively on the long-term injured reserve. In six games this season, Gaudreau was held without a point while taking nine shots and racking up a -2 plus/minus rating.

Fleury will be back in the Wild goal on Sunday after Filip Gustavsson got the call against the Sabres on Friday. Fleury seems to have a slight edge over Gustavsson on the Wild starting job at the moment, as Sunday will mark the fourth time Fleury's been between the pipes in Minnesota's last five games. The 20-year veteran has been particularly solid of late, registering a .914 SV% over his last three starts. He draws a challenging matchup at home on Sunday against the Stars.

Jiricek has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, so he heads back to the AHL to make room for Patrik Laine, who will return from an upper-body injury. Jiricek had one goal and two assists in 10 games with Columbus during his call-up.

Spurgeon has missed the Wilds' first 13 games of the season due to an upper-body injury but has been activated from the LTIR Friday and will make his season debut Friday vs. Buffalo. The 33-year-old is entering his 14th NHL season and had 11 goals and 34 points in 79 games played in 2022-23.